Power tap network connector

Abstract

The invention comprises a power tap connector of the type for terminating by insulation displacement a pair of conductors. The connector includes a housing for receiving at least a pair of upstanding IDC terminals. A pivotally mounted conductor wire carrier has front and rear faces arranged on the housing. The wire carrier is pivotal from a first conductor unterminated position to a second conductor terminated position. The wire carrier has a conductor receiving opening extending from the front face to the rear face for each the IDC terminal. An IDC terminal receiving slot is in communication with each opening, whereby an insulated conductor may be positioned for termination to a corresponding IDC terminal within the opening by entry thereto through either the front face or the rear face.

We claim: 
     
       1. In an electrical connector of the type for terminating a conductor by insulation displacement, the connector including a housing for receiving at least one upstanding IDC terminal, said housing having rear and front wall segments with openings formed therein, a pivotally mounted wire carrier having front and rear faces arranged on said housing, said wire carrier being pivotal from a first conductor unterminated position to a second conductor terminated position, said wire carrier having a conductor receiving opening extending from said front face to said rear face, said conductor receiving opening being in communication with said front and rear wall openings throughout a motion of the wire carrier between said unterminated and terminated positions, and an IDC terminal receiving slot in communication with each said opening, whereby an insulated conductor may be positioned for termination to the IDC terminal within said opening by entry thereto through either said front face or said rear face. 
     
     
       2. The power tap connector of claim 1, wherein the wire carrier has a curved rearward face which acts as a pivot member about which the wire carrier rotates. 
     
     
       3. The power tap connector of claim 1, wherein the housing has walls which form an area for receiving the wire carrier, the wire carrier being received within the housing between opposing walls. 
     
     
       4. The power tap connector of claim 3, wherein the wire carrier has a cam follower disposed along a sidewall therefor, the walls having a recess adjacent the area for receiving the wire carrier, the cam follower cooperating with the recess and the wall to support the wire carrier in the unterminated position and the terminated position. 
     
     
       5. The power tap connector of claim 4, wherein the wire carrier has a front shoulder and the wall has a stop, the front shoulder engages the stop when the wire carrier is in the unterminated position to prevent the wire carrier from being rotated further upwardly. 
     
     
       6. The power tap connector of claim 1, wherein the IDC terminals have split beam legs for receiving the insulated conductor therebetween, and a solder tail for providing termination to a circuit board. 
     
     
       7. The power tap connector of claim 5, wherein the IDC terminal is secured within the housing and the solder tail extends below a bottom of the housing, the split beam legs extend into an area for receiving the wire carrier and into the slots within the wire carrier. 
     
     
       8. The power tap connector of claim 1, wherein the IDC terminal has split beam legs on one end and a flat bladed end on another end, the flat bladed end acting as a tab contact for electrical connection with a matable contact. 
     
     
       9. The power tap connector of claim 8, wherein the housing has lateral extensions with mounting holes therein for securing the housing to a panel. 
     
     
       10. The power tap connector of claim 3, wherein the housing has several walls defining a plurality of areas for receiving the wire carriers, a plurality of the wire carriers being disposed within the areas for receiving the wire carriers. 
     
     
       11. An electrical connector for terminating an insulated wire comprising: a housing having a wire carrier receiving area,   an insulation displacement terminal mounted in the housing and extending into the wire carrier receiving area, and;   a wire carrier having front and rear faces, a wire receiving passageway extending through the front and rear faces and a terminal receiving slot in communication with   the wire receiving passageway, the wire carrier being pivotally mounted to the base such that the wire receiving passageway is in communication with the terminal receiving slot as the wire carrier is pivoted from an unterminated position to a terminated position whereby an insulated conductor may be positioned for termination to the IDC terminal within said passageway by entry thereto through either said front face or said rear face at any pivoted location of the wire carrier.